Private School Cost: Mesa vs Raleigh
Mesa averages $3,600/year less for private school (38% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $46,800 per child.
Bottom Line
Mesa is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,400/year vs $13,000/year in Raleigh. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.
Mesa
AZ
$9,400
avg tuition/year
Raleigh
NC
$13,000
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Mesa | Raleigh | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $9,400/yr | $13,000/yr | -$3,600 |
| Religious Schools | $7,000/yr | $8,200/yr | -$1,200 |
| Independent/Prep | $18,000/yr | $24,500/yr | -$6,500 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $8,000/yr | $10,600/yr | -$2,600 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $9,400/yr | $13,000/yr | -$3,600 |
| High School (9-12) | $11,300/yr | $16,000/yr | -$4,700 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Mesa
$122,200
Raleigh
$169,000
Choosing Mesa saves $46,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $93,600.
Sample Schools
Mesa
Gilbert Christian Schools
Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$12,400/yr
Mesa Christian School
Christian · K–12 · $8,600-$10,800/yr
Raleigh
Ravenscroft School
Independent · PK–12 · $26,800-$29,200/yr
Cardinal Gibbons High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $14,400/yr
Cary Academy
Independent · 6–12 · $22,400-$24,800/yr
Raleigh Charter High School
Charter (Free) · 9–12
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About This Comparison
This comparison uses NCES Private School Universe Survey data, adjusted for metro-level cost-of-living differences. "Average tuition" blends religious schools (Catholic, Christian) and independent day/prep schools. Religious schools typically cost 60-70% less than independent schools in the same city.
Grade-level estimates (elementary, middle, high) are derived from the city average using national grade-level multipliers. High school tuition typically runs 15-25% above the city average; elementary runs 10-20% below.